Civil Liberties Union Starts Court Action Against Prayers in Schools

January 28, 1959

NEW YORK (Jan. 27)

The New York Civil Liberties Union, acting for five residents of nearby Herricks, Long Island suburban community, has instituted court action designed to challenge the constitutionality of a required daily recitation of a brief prayer in the public schools.

This is the first known test of the practice, recommended in 1951 by the State Board of Regents. The case will be heard in the Nassau County Supreme Court February 24. A representative of the law firm which will act for the plaintiff parents declared yesterday that the case will be carried to the United States Supreme Court if necessary.